Workforce Development Program, Department of Economic Development and Commerce

Puerto Rico's Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DEDC) Workforce Development Program is focused on better aligning employment services to local needs through their Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programming. DEDC is partnering with J-PAL North America to evaluate the effect of new case management practices across different geographic areas in Puerto Rico to improve take-up of workforce development program services, encouraging job-seeking and raising chances of employment and wage gains. The intervention would incentivize collaboration between case managers, the use of best practices to prioritize cases, and follow-up with clients to provide more individualized services. The team will look at the intervention’s effect on enrollment in the program, as well as on outcomes connected to individuals' economic stability and career preparedness.